02 January 2024 , 13:28
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With winter here and cold weather set to last for several months there's a common enemy sprouting up in millions of households across the UK. While unsightly mould can be irritating to deal with, in severe cases it can be extremely hazardous to health.
And alarming findings from Toolstation have suggested that 76% of Brits plan to clean mould at home, but less than 10% effectively protect themselves from mould spores and harsh chemicals. Almost a third don't even wear any protective equipment at all, leaving them at risk of falling unwell.
Sarah Dempsey, cleaning expert, said: “When cleaning mould, ventilation is very important. Mould spores can spread very easily and also, the chemicals in most mould cleaning products can be quite harsh and may irritate your lungs if you don’t have proper ventilation.
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“You will need to wear a mask to prevent you from breathing in any dangerous mould spores. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands from coming into contact with the mould or from contacting the harsh chemicals in the cleaning products. You should also wear goggles to protect your eyes from travelling mould spores.”
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For those planning to clean mould at home, Sarah shares her four key steps for safely and effectively cleaning mould:
Step 1: Protect yourself – “It is important to protect yourself from any potential mould spores by wearing some gloves, a face mask, and some goggles. Open your windows but keep all the internal doors closed to prevent the mould spores from spreading to different areas of the home.”
Step 2: Discard mouldy items – “Have a plastic bag to hand and remove any soft furnishing, soft toys, or clothes that may have gathered mould. You will need to get these professionally cleaned or throw them away.”
Step 3: Carefully wipe mould away – “Fill a bucket with some water and a mild detergent such as washing up liquid or a detergent used for handwashing clothes. Dip a cloth in the soapy water. Use the cloth to wipe the mould away gently and carefully. Be careful not to brush the mould as this may release mould spores. When you have finished, you should then use a dry cloth to remove all the moisture from the affected area.”
Step 4: Call a professional – “If you have tried to clean mould, but it keeps reappearing, it is best to call a professional to come and deal with the mould issue. Professionals will be able to identify the type of mould issue that you have and deal with it appropriately.”
Products to help tackle mould and keep you safe
There are a number of products that can help to tackle mould around the home. Mirror Choice's Narin Flanders tackled problem mould in her bathroom using the HG Mould Spray beloved by Mrs Hinch - see how she got on here.
Toolstation sells the Zep Commercial Mould & Mildew Cleaner 750ml for £8.99 which has a "ready to use industrial strength formula that quickly dissolves mould and mildew stains with the power of bleach". Alternatively Amazon has a cheaper option, Astonish mould and mildew remover spray for £4.85.
As well as fighting mould and mildew, Astonish's product is also vegan friendly and cruelty free (Astonish)Goggles can be picked up for fairly cheap, these are just £3.98 at Toolstation, while a slightly cheaper pair can be found on Amazon for £3.67. A 100 pack of face masks will set you back £5.99 at Amazon.
Cleaning gloves are readily available in shops and supermarkets, including the Range where some Marigolds are £2.69.